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Eug · Jul 24, 2003, 10:38 AM

I have a PC desktop in the same room as my router, and a wireless access point, and a TiBook.

I'll be using the access point at work and instead of getting a new access point I'm thinking of just getting a new wireless router with USB print server, so both the PC and Mac can use the printer.

Who makes the best ones? I hear the Apple Airport works well, but it's more expensive - 802.11g/b. I need only 802.11b for now. I hear that some of the non-Mac-oriented routers with USB print servers are finicky to get working correctly.

sworthy · Jul 24, 2003, 12:26 PM

I'm really interested in this as well, so *bump*

aaanorton · Jul 24, 2003, 12:32 PM

I, personally, don't know of ANY others. That's not to say they don't exist, but I'd be careful buying one, if you can find it. Even Apple seems to be having difficulties getting their AEBSes to work seamlessly.
Does it need to be a USB port, though? There are other ways of accomplishing this, particularly if you've got a laser printer. What kind of printer do you have and what interfaces does it have?

JHromadka · Jul 24, 2003, 12:46 PM

I think the Apple ABE only works with Rendezvous, so no Windows machines can print to it. Not sure about a Linux box like Mandrake though.

Socially Awkward Solo · Jul 24, 2003, 01:20 PM

I don't think that would be easy to find. Perhaps you should look for a new printer with either ethernet or wifi built in.

Eug · 02:55 PM

OK then, what about parallel? I wanted USB for future compatibility, but my current printer supports both parallel and USB.

For my PC it's not a huge issue since it's physically connected to the printer at the moment. For the TiBook I have to run upstairs, plug in the USB cable, and then print.

I want to just be able to print from downstairs and collect the stuff later when I need to. Yeah, I'm lazy...

Or maybe I'll just forget it and get a close-out refurb plain-Jane $35 access point or something.

EDIT:

There's always this D-Link DL2839. It would match my TiBook and a new G5.

I'd really prefer a USB one though.

Socially Awkward Solo · Jul 24, 2003, 02:56 PM

Isn't there any SOFTWARE that well let your PC be the server for a Mac.

Linksys has routers with print servers but I really hate their wireless routers.

Eug · Jul 24, 2003, 03:15 PM

Hmmm... I can get a SMC7004VWBR - Barricade� wireless router for US$33 (refurb). Maybe I'll just do that until the 54 Mbps stuff drops in price and wireless printing standards sort themselves out.

It supports 128-bit encryption and MAC address filtering (something my current router and access point don't).

I can look into somehow config'ing the PC to act as a print server.

aaanorton · Jul 24, 2003, 03:20 PM

What kind of printer do you have?

Eug · Jul 24, 2003, 03:51 PM

Originally posted by aaanorton:
What kind of printer do you have?

Samsung ML-4600 laser. Parallel and USB ports. No Ethernet port.

aaanorton · Jul 24, 2003, 04:13 PM

Originally posted by Eug:
Samsung ML-4600 laser. Parallel and USB ports. No Ethernet port.

It doesn't specify if/which Postscript it supports, but I'm pretty sure you'd be fine with a parallel print server-based router. I own and highly recommend the Asante FR1004AL. It's a great unit. You won't be able to use AppleTalk through ANY parallel port, on ANY router, but setting up a LPR printer is simple.
It does everything the SMC does (in fact, I'm pretty sure they are the same thing, different brands), but Asante has great Mac support.

willab · Jul 24, 2003, 06:00 PM

The Dlink doesn't allow printing from a Mac. I own one. I payed thst for it over a year ago.

JHromadka · Jul 24, 2003, 06:48 PM

Originally posted by Eug:
Hmmm... I can get a SMC7004VWBR - Barricade� wireless router for US$33 (refurb). Maybe I'll just do that until the 54 Mbps stuff drops in price and wireless printing standards sort themselves out.

I used to have a 7004AWBR, and I had nothing but trouble with the print server on it. Printing would leave the queue and nothing happened. Then it wouldn't allow iChat audio chats through, even after I disabled its firewall and specified the right ports to let through. I eventually sold it to a PC-using friend and bought an ABE.

mbryda · Jul 24, 2003, 10:24 PM

If your PC has XP or Win2k on it, set up UNIX LPR printing on it. (Control Panel, Add/Remove Windows Components, Other Network
D&P services, UNIX Printing.) Install the printer, right click on it and share it out.

From your Mac, just set it up in Print Center as an IP printer, pop in the IP address, the queue is the share name, and use the printer's driver. Viola! Instant PC Print server. Works great and even allowed me to ressurect my aincient parallel Epson ActionLaser 1500 and print to it from my Mac!

Freeflyer · Jul 25, 2003, 07:44 AM

I have a netgear fm114p which I'm using as a print server since the jet direct card in my laserjet died.

You have to set it up using a pc first to install the necessary software to the router, but after that, no problems printing from the mac using it.

J.

Eug · Jul 25, 2003, 01:31 PM

Originally posted by mbryda:
If your PC has XP or Win2k on it, set up UNIX LPR printing on it. (Control Panel, Add/Remove Windows Components, Other Network
D&P services, UNIX Printing.) Install the printer, right click on it and share it out.

From your Mac, just set it up in Print Center as an IP printer, pop in the IP address, the queue is the share name, and use the printer's driver. Viola! Instant PC Print server. Works great and even allowed me to ressurect my aincient parallel Epson ActionLaser 1500 and print to it from my Mac!

Thx, I was looking for instructions on how to do that.

It originally wasn't an option because my XP box wasn't always on, but now that I've quiet-ified it, it stays on 24/7.

Steve · Jul 25, 2003, 01:46 PM

Moving this over to the Networking forum.

Eug · Jul 25, 2003, 10:14 PM

Thanks, but where was the driver?

I can print fine to it locally, but when I try to add it thru IP printing, it's not listed in the Printer Model list for printers on the network. If I pick Generic it prints garbage, and if I pick Other it asks me for a location on disk for the driver.

If I view the info on the Samsung ML-4600 printer locally, there is a greyed out "PCL For jaguar 1.0" but no model names listed.

Where would the printer driver file be located?

hayesk · Jul 26, 2003, 09:32 AM

Originally posted by Eug:
Thanks, but where was the driver?

On Samsung's web site. If it isn't in the drop down menu, you probably don't have it installed. If you have installed it, choose Other... and look in /Library/Printers